Kentucky's Mark Pope Issues Stern Warning to Rick Pitino
The Kentucky head coach, who led the Wildcats to a Sweet 16 in his first season, is already looking ahead to a marquee showdown in December when Kentucky faces St. John's in the CBS Sports Classic.
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The matchup, set for Dec. 20 in Atlanta, pits Pope against his former coach, Rick Pitino, in what promises to be a must-watch event.
But Pope isn't just thinking Xs and Os—he's thinking tailoring.
'I'm putting this out there so Coach P can hear it. I am bringing the suit game,' Pope said with a grin. 'I already started planning. Coach, just be ready. K? Bring it.'
He wasn't done.
'And the game's gonna be elite. I'm not going white. Listen, I'm not trying to be the Don. Like, that position's already been taken. But I'm bringing the Thunder. So I don't know what coach has prepared, but he better get with his tailor because it's on right now.'
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It's the kind of playful energy that's made Pope an early fan favorite at Kentucky—and this game will carry a little more weight than most.
Not only are both teams expected to enter the season ranked, but it's also the first time Pope and Pitino will square off as opposing head coaches.
Pitino, now at St. John's, coached Pope during Kentucky's 1996 national title run.
St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino.Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Red Storm are coming off a 31-5 season and will be replacing UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic field, which also includes Ohio State and North Carolina.
But come December 20? It's all about the Wildcats, the Red Storm—and the suits.
Related: Duke Suffers Major Recruiting Blow in Elite International Battle
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